Challenges with
Current Educational Technology
Christina N.
Adkins, MSEd
Technology
Director and Lead Teacher, Village Academy of Village Behavioral Health
christina.adkins@waldenu.edu
As technology continues to evolve at an exponential rate,
the technologies educators are taught to use during their schooling often
become obsolete by the time they actually begin their teaching career. The evolution
from an emerged technology into one that is obsolete stems from issues with the
functionality of the hardware, pricing, and impact on student learning. The
SmartBoard, an interactive white board that uses touch detection for user input
in conjunction with a computer and LCD projector. According to SMART Technologies, SMARTboards can “improve pedagogy and student engagement.” As you walk the
halls of each high school within Knox County School District in Knoxville,
Tennessee, you will see a SmartBoard housed in every classroom room. There are
quite a few drawbacks to its use that may phase it out as the software for such
Interactive White Boards continues to develop and modestly price alternatives
become released.
Why educators need
the SMARTboard Interactive White Board technology
Often times,
student cannot take notes as fast as the teacher speaks. By the time the
student is caught up with notes and attempts to write down what the teacher has
written, he or she erases the board, which leaves the student behind and
frustrated. The Interactive White Board technology offers an interactive
flipchart software that saves all notes written on its surface and allows it to
be printed or replayed. This prevents repeated lectures and allows the entire
lesson to be replayed for students to review work or lessons. The SmartBoard
technology allows teachers to create audio and visual images for their lectures
allowing them pre-record lessons in the event of their absence and to enhance
language lessons. The board also comes with Smart Pens in various colors that
offer different colored text on the screen. Once a pen has been removed from
its assigned holding spot, students can use their fingers to write on the board
in that particular color. This prevents wasted spending on replacement markers
and pens leaving less cleanup.
The price for
SmartBoards is still relatively high despite the technology being mature
The cheapest price for the actual SmartBoard device not
including the projector, stand, and podium ranges from $1999 to $6999 according
to the SmartBoard website. The accessories and
replacement parts pricing for various Interactive White Boards can be found HERE. When schools are limited on funding, more cost efficient versions of the
Interactive White Board should be considered to offset the costs of purchasing
and maintaining an actual SmartBoard and its accessories.
The bright screen
can cause eye fatigue and visual challenges for students
Similar to how your eyes feel after watching TV for long
periods of time, students have complained of eye fatigue from long exposure to
SMARTboards. One medical practice claimed there were “potential visual
challenges that can arise from prolonged use of digital technology” such as
SMARTboards. To avoid this issue, limit the amount of
time you use digital technology for lectures and presentations to allow the
audience time to adjust their eyes and model their learning at their desk.
Cheaper Alternatives
to SMARTboard Interactive White Board technology currently exist
When I moved classrooms and was forced to leave behind my
SMARTboard, I decided to use my school resources to purchase a cheaper
alternative to the SMARTboard: MIMIO software which offers various options for less than $500. The device itself is portable,
attaches to ANY flat surface, and converts it into an interactive white board
using a projector and the MIMIO wall device that is the size of a television
remote.
As with any
purchase, always compare the price and reviews
Not every technology works the same just as not every student
learns the same. If your students are a rowdy bunch or if they are simply
clumsy, you will have to budget for replacement pens and hardware. As I stated
previously, the MIMIO is a cheaper alternative with replacement pens selling for
$25. The SMARTboard pen tray for the SMART board sells for $250 and does not
include the pens and erasers. Those average $50 and up depending on the style. Both
options offer software that includes audio visual recordings, flip charts,
templates, and interactive pens. The functionality of both devices depends on
the placement of the projector and the calibration of the screen. If any
glitches occur with the software or projector becomes bumped, they must be
re-calibrated to restart the program. I have tried both options and enjoyed the
functionality of both; however, those who are more technologically inclined
might prefer one over the other, which is why I highly suggest that before
purchasing either of the two that you compare cost and reviews for both
options.
Christina,
ReplyDeleteI did find Mimio’s a much more portable alternative to the Promethean boards I have in my department. I got a chance to use it at one of our offsite locations and wished the teacher would have allowed me to take it home. I was able to use my already made lessons that I used on the main campus.
Also, I agree with you that it is indeed cheaper alternative. Even though it is cheaper it is not less effective.
Recently, I learned of a public school teacher who used his Wii as interactive board for his classroom. When asked how he sent us to YouTube.
Here is an awesome video show how it is done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5EvhHy7eQ
Vivia,
ReplyDeleteThat was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I never realized you could place a projector on a tripod. I used to place mine on a stool and every time a student bumped into it, I had to re-calibrate the whiteboard screen. Thank you for sharing that. I definitely retweeted it.
Thank you for introducing me to the Mimio interactive software technology. It appears that the technology creates a learning environment that encompasses teacher-lead learning and student collaboration. I was especially impressed by the fact that the Mimio software and its mobile app work cohesively to foster Common Core State Standards skills across the curriculum. It also allows for individualized learning styles and differentiated instruction.
ReplyDeleteSince the tool was specifically designed to use with interactive whiteboards and smart boards, how do you facilitate the interactive process with your students as it relates to portability (Mimio, 2015)?
References
Mimio. (2015). MimioStudio classroom software. Mimio. Retrieved June 13, 2015 from http://www.mimio.com/en-NA/Products/MimioStudio-Software.aspx
Yes WHY Are smartboards still so pricey? There are so many more cost-effective ways to achieve better results now!
ReplyDeleteGreat Resources, Shares & Discourse!
ReplyDeleteSo much has changed, and continues to change in the way we teach and learn. I was so excited to see Mimio as an alternative to the high-priced smartboards; when the WiiMote video completely blew them both away! For making education technology possible on a shoestring budget.
These look like "wild cards" that Dr. Thornburg (2013b) said, "seemingly emerge from nowhere to transform our view." and that "...the bulk of the transformations we explore resulted from wild cards dealt in the recent past" (p. 1). In this case, wouldn't you agree that Christina dealt the hand, while Vivia played a wild card.
References
Thornburg, D. (2013b). Current trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration. p.1.
I truly loved your take on the SMART Board as an emerging technology that enhances learning and interaction in the classroom. According to Beeland (2015), there is a distinct correlation between interactive whiteboards, student motivation, and learning (p. 1). As interactive as the SMART Board claims to be, I would certainly like to see it evolve into, not just a teaching tool but also, a student feedback tool (Orlando, Davis, & Mason, 2015). At present, I use the SMART Board for presentations and as a visual teaching apparatus. I am attempting to connect my students' individual classroom laptops to the board in order to provide direct and explicit learning opportunities, and a true interactive learning experience.
ReplyDeleteReferences
Beeland, W. D. (2015). Student engagement, visual learning and technology: Can interactive whiteboards help? Smart Tech. Retrieved June 21, 2015 from http://www.smarttech.com/Beeland.
Orlando, A., Davis, E., & Mason, S. (2015). 21 ways to integrate the SMART board in the elementary classroom. Florida Tech Share. Retrieved June 21, 2015 from http://fltechshare.pbworks.com/f/NJAET_Outline_SMARTBoard.pdf.